Fire on Figure 3 Ranch
This will be a brief description of what we believed happened, followed by a few changes we have had to make as a result of the fire. At the end of this paragraph will be a link to some photos there were taken after it was safe to go down. As most know, our club members had many semi permanent camp sites set up on this Figure 3. On May 20th, 2006 We had one of Amarillo's famous thunderstorms erupt. For anyone who is not familiar with a lot of our Thunderstorms, we end up with some thunder and lightening, a lot of wind, and very little rain. This was the case on May 20th. The lighten started the fire which was quickly fanned by the wind associated with the storm. This blew the fire down into the canyon where fighting it was next to impossible. The US Forest Service got planes and helicopters in the air as soon as it was safe to do so, but it was too little too late to contain before significant damage has occurred. The was two ranches that took the brunt of the fire. The Figure 3, where the Jeep Jamboree, and the Palo Duro Challenge is held each year, and the Harold Ranch, which adjoins the Figure 3. Although we are describing the Figure 3 only here, this is not to mean that our thoughts and sympathies do not go out to the owner of the Harold Ranch. We are just much closer to the Figure 3.
As a result of the fire, we are making several changes that are intended to be short term, but are not sure how sort term they will be. One of the changes involves the meals that are served at each of our events. Until further notice, all meals we be served from the "breakfast area" which is on the rim of the canyon. We also be camping on top as well. No one will be allowed to camp in the canyon until the cabin is rebuilt, and the area cleaned up, and given some chance to recover. We apologize for any inconvenience this causes, but we must do what is best for everyone, especially the owner of the Figure 3.